Jose Valentin, who batted exclusively from the left side last season, has been asked to give switch-hitting another try this spring.
The Dodgers will check out his right-handed swing and determine whether he should keep it or not. Either way, Valentin won't be getting many at-bats against lefties. He hit .191 against them last year and .163 over the last three years.

Yeah, that experiment will last about a week, and then Tracy will say, "You know what, just stick with the left-handed hitting, that's fine, bad idea on my part."

wdelaney72

02-25-2005, 09:25 AM

I'm so glad he's not our problem anymore.

Brian26

02-25-2005, 01:46 PM

I'm so glad he's not our problem anymore.

IMHO, Jose would actually still fill a nice role on this team. What's the one thing we still need? A guy that can play short and third and occassionally pinch hit.

mjharrison72

02-25-2005, 01:47 PM

At one point, I was thinking he should probably just bunt every time he faces a lefty... but he can't bunt, either.

mcfish

02-25-2005, 02:50 PM

IMHO, Jose would actually still fill a nice role on this team. What's the one thing we still need? A guy that can play short and third and occassionally pinch hit.For $5 million? No thanks.

Plus, I just don't think the he would have become exclusively a backup without a fight.

the_valenstache

02-25-2005, 05:45 PM

I don't like what this post title might suggest about my personal life.

Not that there's anything wrong with it.

:smile:

Foulke You

02-25-2005, 05:56 PM

For $5 million? No thanks.

Plus, I just don't think the he would have become exclusively a backup without a fight.

I think eventually, Jose will have to accept that he is getting older and accept a lesser role on a team someday. I would love to have had him as a pinch hitter because with the game on the line, the guy came through many times however, he would not have agreed to be a backup infielder. I have a lot of fond memories of Jose and wish him luck in the NL. Especially when the Dodgers play the Cubs.:cool:

Chisox003

02-25-2005, 06:10 PM

IMHO, Jose would actually still fill a nice role on this team. What's the one thing we still need? A guy that can play short and third and occassionally pinch hit.

Whats another thing we dont need? A guy thats a guaranteed K.... 9 out of 10 times

Jose is clutch, but Im actually pretty happy to see his bat out of the lineup...Nothing personal, because he seemed like a leader

I hope Dransfeldt/Valdez get a shot...The more I think about it, the more I want one of those guys backing up the MIF

WSox8404

02-26-2005, 12:01 AM

IMHO, Jose would actually still fill a nice role on this team. What's the one thing we still need? A guy that can play short and third and occassionally pinch hit.

Not for five million dollars though.

Brian26

02-26-2005, 12:11 AM

Not for five million dollars though.

Of course not. Only if he would have signed cheaper. I don't think the Sox even pursued him with any offer.

Dadawg_77

02-26-2005, 11:11 AM

I think Jose is going to be platooned out there and play between SS and 3B.